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Denbury Resources Acquires Matrix Oil & Gas in $163 Million Acquisition.


Business Editors/Energy Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2001

Denbury Resources Inc. (NYSE NYSE

See: New York Stock Exchange
:DNR See dynamic noise reduction and domain name resolver. )(TSE See Tokyo Stock Exchange.

TSE

1. See Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).

2. See Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE).
:DNR.) ("Denbury" or the "Company") today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Matrix Oil & Gas, Inc. ("Matrix") of Covington, Louisiana The city of Covington is the parish seat of St. Tammany Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. [1] [2] It is located at a fork of the Bogue Falaya and the Tchefuncte River. The population was 8,483 at the 2000 census, and was estimated to be 9,347 in July 2005.  for approximately $163 million in cash and stock, including the assumption of Matrix's liabilities. Matrix is an exploration and production company that primarily focuses on the offshore Gulf of Mexico Noun 1. Gulf of Mexico - an arm of the Atlantic to the south of the United States and to the east of Mexico
Golfo de Mexico

Atlantic, Atlantic Ocean - the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east
 with an interest in 19 offshore blocks and two onshore on·shore  
adj.
1. Moving or directed toward the shore: an onshore wind.

2. Located on the shore: an onshore beacon; an onshore patrol.

adv.
 fields. At April 1, 2001 based on initial Company estimates, Matrix had an estimated proved reserve base of 78.7 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), 91% of which was natural gas and 70% of which was proved developed. Matrix produced 40 MMcfe/d during the first quarter of 2001, 94% of which was natural gas. The acquisition, accounted for as a purchase, increases Denbury's relative position in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to close during July 2001, the effective date of the acquisition.

Transaction Highlights
-- The acquisition adds quality natural gas assets in the Gulf of Mexico shelf,
a growing focus area for Denbury. After the closing of the transaction,
approximately 15% of Denbury's reserves and 25% of its daily production will be
offshore.

-- The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive on a per share basis
to Denbury's earnings, cash flow, production, net asset value and reserves.

-- Matrix's business principles and culture are very similar to Denbury's.
Matrix's experienced management and technical team have a proven track record
of adding value in the offshore area and most are expected to be retained by
Denbury.

-- The adjusted 2001 average daily production for Denbury is now forecast to be
31,900 BOE/d, a 49% increase over 2000's record level.

-- Pro forma combined reserves are over 100 million BOE, 29% of which is
natural gas. In addition to Matrix's 78.7 Bcfe of estimated proved reserves,
significant probable reserves have been identified.

-- Matrix operates approximately 96% of its proved reserves and 88% of its
current net production.

-- Matrix's estimated inception to date finding and development cost through
December 31, 2000 is approximately $0.82 per Mcfe ($1.35 per Mcfe including
future development and abandonment cost).


Terms of the Agreement

Under the agreement, Matrix's common shareholders will receive approximately $92.7 million, composed of 5,660,000 Denbury common shares, subject to adjustment, and $30.4 million in cash. The number of shares of Denbury common stock may be adjusted up or down, within certain limits, if the average stock price for Denbury during the twenty days prior to closing is outside of a range of $11.00 to $13.00 per share. In addition, Denbury will redeem redeem v. to buy back, as when an owner who had mortgaged his/her real property pays off the debt. The term also refers to paying the amount due and all charges after a foreclosure (due to failure to make payments when due) has begun.  Matrix's preferred stock Stock shares that have preferential rights to dividends or to amounts distributable on liquidation, or to both, ahead of common shareholders.

Preferred stock is given preference over common stock. Holders of preferred stock receive dividends at a fixed annual rate.
 at a cost of approximately $32.4 million, redeem outstanding stock options at a cost of approximately $7.3 million, and retire $25.0 million of Matrix's outstanding bank debt. The total estimated cash cost to Denbury, including estimated transaction expenses, of $101 million will be financed with debt available under the Company's bank credit facility. Credit Suisse First Boston Credit Suisse First Boston was originally the trading name of the Financière Crédit Suisse-First Boston, a London-based 50-50 investment banking joint venture formed in 1978 between the First Boston Corporation and Credit Suisse.  acted as Denbury's financial advisor in the transaction.

Gareth Roberts Gareth Roberts may refer to:
  • Gareth Roberts (physicist), FRS (1940–2007), British physicist, engineer, and President of Wolfson College, Oxford
  • Gareth Roberts (writer) (born 1968), British television writer
, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board.  of Denbury, commented on the transaction, saying: "This is an excellent example of combining two like-minded companies for the benefit of shareholders. Matrix's strategic Gulf of Mexico properties fit perfectly into Denbury's, and greatly expand our efforts there. The Matrix properties are predominantly pre·dom·i·nant  
adj.
1. Having greatest ascendancy, importance, influence, authority, or force. See Synonyms at dominant.

2.
 older large fields with development potential similar to that of Denbury's existing fields. Another benefit of this merger is our increased exposure to natural gas. Besides the strategic fit, this transaction brings to Denbury an experienced offshore management and technical group. Matrix's existing headquarters in Covington, Louisiana (just across Lake Pontchatrain from New Orleans New Orleans (ôr`lēənz –lənz, ôrlēnz`), city (2006 pop. 187,525), coextensive with Orleans parish, SE La., between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, 107 mi (172 km) by water from the river mouth; founded ) will become our new district office, handling all of our offshore Gulf of Mexico operations. We are also excited about adding a representative from EnCap Investments L.L.C., Matrix's single largest shareholder, to our Board of Directors, increasing the Board's size to nine members. We welcome their experience and insight. In summary, Denbury's financial strength, along with the technical talent of the combined companies provides a solid platform to aggressively exploit the acquired properties to their fullest potential."

Robin Mingo, President and CEO of Matrix, added "We are looking forward to becoming part of Denbury's current and future success. We're impressed by the similarities between the two companies' operating philosophies and cultures. The combination of our people, properties and prospects with those of Denbury allow us to accelerate the growth of this new core focus area for Denbury."

Denbury's total proved reserves proved reserves

The quantity of minerals expected to be recoverable under current economic and operating conditions. The amount of proved reserves is important in valuing the stock of a company with significant holdings in natural resources.
, pro forma As a matter of form or for the sake of form. Used to describe accounting, financial, and other statements or conclusions based upon assumed or anticipated facts.

The phrase pro forma
 for this transaction, are expected to be 72 MMBbls of oil and 174 Bcf of natural gas for a total of just over 100 MMBOE MMBOE Million Barrels of Oil Equivalent (energy and petroleum industry) . Following the completion of this transaction, Denbury's total proved reserves will be approximately 85% onshore and 15% offshore, 29% of which will be natural gas. Pro forma production for the second half of 2001 will be 75% onshore and 25% offshore, 50% of which will be natural gas.

Risk Management for Acquisition

In order to insure a minimum rate of return on these properties, Denbury has purchased price floors (i.e. puts) at an aggregate cost of approximately $18.0 million covering all of the forecasted proven natural gas production on the Matrix properties for the balance of 2001 and calendar years 2002 and 2003. The price floors are $4.25 for June 2001 through December 2002 and $3.75 for 2003. Gareth Roberts stated, "Although the acquisition initially appears to have a price-per-Mcfe cost above our historical levels, these price floors protect any unforeseen commodity price weakness and allow us to capture 100% of any price improvement. With these floors and the upside potential Upside potential

The amount by which analysts or investors expect the price of a security may increase.


upside potential

The potential price or gain that may be expected in a security or in a security average, generally stated as the dollar
 that our engineers and geologists have already identified, we expect to show an excellent rate of return on this acquisition."

Revised 2001 Outlook

The transaction provides Denbury with significant drilling and exploitation opportunities. Although still under review, the Company's 2001 development and exploration budget is expected to increase by approximately $30 million to $180 million, not including money spent for acquisitions. Denbury's pro forma total debt is expected to be approximately $315 million at closing, with $10 million expected to be available under its bank credit line before any adjustment to the credit line for the Matrix acquisition. The pro forma debt to cash flow ratio based on an annualized annualized

Of or relating to a variable that has been mathematically converted to a yearly rate. Inflation and interest rates are generally annualized since it is on this basis that these two variables are ordinarily stated and compared.
 first quarter of 2001 will be approximately 1.1:1. Denbury's goal is to keep this ratio at or below 2:1.

Management now targets daily production for 2001 of 31,900 BOE/d, which is a 49% increase over 2000 rates. Third quarter production is now expected to average 36,000 BOE/d, comprised of 17,250 Bbls/d and 112.5 MMcf/d, and fourth quarter production is expected to average 37,000 BOE/d, comprised of 17,500 Bbls/d and 117.0 MMcf/d. Approximately 47% of 2001's average projected production should be natural gas, as compared to 29% of 2000's production.

Company Background

Denbury Resources Inc. is a growing independent oil and gas company. The Company is the largest oil and natural gas operator in Mississippi, holds key operating acreage onshore Louisiana and has a growing presence in the offshore Gulf of Mexico areas. The Company increases the value of acquired properties in its core areas through a combination of exploitation drilling and proven engineering extraction practices.

Matrix Oil & Gas, Inc. is an independent oil and gas company founded by Robin Mingo in 1992. Matrix, which is based in Covington, Louisiana, evaluates and exploits proven oil and gas opportunities through the purchase and operation of producing oil and gas properties. EnCap Investments L.L.C., Matrix's largest shareholder, is a leading private equity provider of capital to the independent sector of the U.S. oil and gas industry. Encap was formed in 1988 and is now a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary

A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock.

Notes:
In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners.
 of Houston-based El Paso El Paso (ĕl pă`sō), city (1990 pop. 515,342), seat of El Paso co., extreme W Tex., on the Rio Grande opposite Juárez, Mex.; inc. 1873.  Corporation. Encap is managed by David B. Miller, Gary R. Petersen, D. Martin Phillips Martin John "Buster" Phillips (born March 13, 1976)) is an English former professional footballer.

Phillips was born in Exeter and began his football career as a trainee with his local side Exeter City, turning professional in July 1994.
 and Robert L. Zorich, who collectively have over 100 years of oil and gas investment experience and have worked together for more than 25 years. Since 1988, EnCap has invested over $775 million in more than 40 investments. Encap has provided equity financing Equity Financing

The act of raising money for company activities by selling common or preferred stock to individual or institutional investors. In return for the money paid, shareholders receive ownership interests in the corporation.
 and has been an equity partner of Matrix since 1995. Post closing, EnCap will own approximately 3.4 million shares (6.6%) of Denbury's post-closing 51.8 million shares of common stock, making the firm Denbury's second largest shareholder.

Conference Call

Denbury and Matrix management will hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. CST CST
abbr.
1. Central Standard Time

2. convulsive shock treatment


CST Central Standard Time

Noun 1.
 today, Tuesday, June 5, 2001, to discuss the contents of this release. The dial-in number to participate in this call is 877/888-4034, or the call can be accessed via Denbury's website at http://www.denbury.com. To listen to the call live, please go to the website at least 10 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to participate during the live broadcast, the call will be archived on our Web site for approximately 30 days. The audio portion of the call will also be available for playback by phone for one week after the call by dialing 888/203-1112, passcode 669912.

This press release, other than historical financial information, contains forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including expected reserve quantities, production levels, exploration and exploitation results, capital expenditure budgets, commodity prices, financial results and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Denbury's reports on Form 10-K Form 10-K

A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information.


Form 10-K

See 10-K.
, and 10-Q. These reports are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. These statements are based on engineering, geological and operating assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information; however, management's assumptions and the Company's future performance are both subject to a wide range of business risks, and there is no assurance that these goals and projections can or will be met. Actual results may vary materially.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2001, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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